A chief executive for a Port of Portland terminal operator has testified before an administrative law judge about the pressures he faced over two disputed jobs that have led to a work slowdown.

Elvis Ganda of terminal operator ICTSI Oregon Inc. said Tuesday that weeks ago he sat down for a meeting with a longshore union official.

Ganda testified that he told union coast committeeman Leal "Leo" Sundet he couldn't support the longshoremen's claim to the jobs plugging and unplugging refrigerated containers. Ganda said his company's contract with the port required the work to go to the electricians union.

The Oregonian reports that Ganda says he told Sundet that he felt like he had a gun to his head.

According to Ganda, the longshore union official replied, "I'm holding the other gun to your head."

Longshore union lawyer Robert Remar declined to question Ganda. Sundet wasn't present to respond. The longshore union lawyers had asked for more time before the administrative trial began Tuesday.

The slowdown began early last month. The conflict has led some container ships to bypass Portland and unload and pick up cargo in Seattle.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com